Madrid's long-time head football coach died on Sunday. He was 58 years old.

Advertisement

Hinkel led the Madrid Tigers football team for 29 seasons. He averaged 9 wins a year over, took the Tigers to the postseason 25 times, was a state runner-up 7 times and won it all in 1991. Along the way, he mentored thousands of kids both on and off the field, fired up the fan base, gave tirelessly, and made "The Jungle" a must stop for high school football fans.

I will certainly miss his presence on the sidelines every Friday night; his willingness to let us tell his team's stories; and most of all his one-of-a-kind voice.

Hinkel's visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:00pm at Madrid High School. The funeral will begin at 7:00, also at the high school. The public is welcome.

When I came to central Iowa in 2005, he was one of the first coaches to welcome me. And he was as friendly to me this season as he was a decade ago.

When I asked him to let us put a microphone on him for a game, he wanted to make sure we were talking about the team, not him (we were). I'm posting the story below - from 2006, it's "One Week: Madrid Football."

John Meyer edited this story, and photojournalist Spencer Vaughn shot the amazing video. I hope you enjoy.